by Rita Ewing
“And I’m doing good too, Allen.” Kelly sniffed. “I got all A’s on my report card, and Dr. Rutherford said I’m her best patient ever. I’m eating all the time, but it’s just the right stuff. Like you always told me.”
Nona stood, and the three stayed in silence, staring at the headstone. As the minutes passed, memories rolled through their minds. And it was time that gave them more smiles than tears.
Finally Nona said, “I’ll always love you, Allen.”
Derrick held Nona’s and Kelly’s hands as they walked to the car. He helped them inside and then said, “I’ll be right back.”
Nona frowned as she watched Derrick return to the spot where they had just stood. He knelt, for no longer than a few seconds, then walked slowly back to them.
When he got inside the car, Nona turned to him, her expression asking the question.
“I just wanted to thank him for taking care of my two favorite ladies.” He took Nona’s hand. “And to say that from now on, that’s my job.” He leaned over and let his lips meet hers. They kissed, almost forgetting that Kelly was with them until she clapped her hands.
“I love it when you guys do that.” Kelly giggled.
Nona and Derrick turned to her and smiled.
“I just want to know one thing,” Kelly said.
“What?” Derrick started the car.
“When are you going to get married?”
“Kelly!” Nona exclaimed.
“What? I thought it was a good question,” Kelly said.
Derrick agreed, “It’s a very good question.” He lifted Nona’s hand and looked at the five-carat, emerald-cut diamond that he’d given her three months ago. “So, when are we getting married?”
The three of them laughed, and Nona squeezed Derrick’s hand before she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
She sat back just as Derrick drove through the burial ground exit. In her side view mirror, she could see the sign with the gold letters–"King of Kings Cemetery.” She stared as it got smaller and smaller until it was completely out of sight.
She turned away from the mirror and took off her sunglasses. It was wonderful the way life worked. Sometimes what seemed to be the end was really a new beginning. She looked at Derrick, who was staring straight ahead, maneuvering the car along the curves of the expressway. Moving with caution. Taking care–for his two favorite ladies.
Nona’s eyes moved from Derrick to the ring that glittered on her finger. She smiled and thanked God for her new beginning.
By Rita Ewing
HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE
(with Crystal McCrary Anthony)
Brickhouse is lovingly dedicated to my shining stars,
Randi, Corey, and Kyla
and my Forever Angel, Karin.
The following acknowledgments are an absolute must, for without these individuals, Brickhouse would just be another old-school classic soul favorite: Denise Stinson, you knew this would work! Thank you! Carrie Feron, you are one incredible editor, a fun friend, and loyal blessing … thank you so very much for your continued belief in me and Brickhouse. Victoria Christopher Murray, you are an amazing talent! I cannot thank you enough for your assistance with Brickhouse … may God continue to bless you! Last, but certainly not least, my own personal trainers, Jeanne Marcus and Nancy Fuentes, for introducing me to the world of fitness and making it fun!
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Except for passing reference to real celebrities, all characters are entirely imagined and any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental. Although reference is made to real celebrities, their dialogue, actions, and context in which they are portrayed are all products of the author’s imagination.
BRICKHOUSE. Copyright © 2005 by Rita Ewing.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
EPub Edition © OCTOBER 2010 ISBN: 978-0-062-06948-1
FIRST EDITION
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ewing, Rita.
Brickhouse / by Rita Ewing.–1st ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-06-057055-5
1. African American women–Fiction. 2. African American businesspeople–Fiction. 3. Physical fitness centers–Fiction. 4. Harlem (New York, N.Y.)–Fiction. 5. Political corruption–Fiction. 6. Female friendship–Fiction. 7. Businesswomen–Fiction.
I. Title.
PS3555.W54B75 2005
813 ‘.54–dc22 2004020995
06 07 08 09 JTC/RRD 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
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